Electric vibrator



July 28, A D c SCHRAMM' 2,048,712

ELECTRIC VIBRATOR Filed June 20, 1933 ATTORNEY' Patented July 28,

, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

7 Claims.

This invention is a' novel electric vibrator such as is adapted formassage purposes, although the features of improvement would beavailable for other practical purposes such as treatment or mixing ofliquids, or use in the laboratory or otherwise for grinding, cutting,polishing or other treatments of solids, such as a vibratory razor.

The general object of the invention is to provide an electric vibratoroperated by a motor of the type having an oscillating shaft, permittinga simple construction in that a plain iron armature without windin maybe employed, with a restoring spring opposing the field magnet. Such amotor may be operated by intermittent or alternating current and in thelatter case the vibrations may be synchronous with the frequency ofcurrent alternation, as 60 cycles per second, the vibrator delivering anoscillating movement which is powerful although scarcely perceptible tothe eye. V

A special object is to provide for the varying of the power or action ofthe vibrator, for massage or other purposes, preferably by adjustment,of the spring which operates on the armature.

Another object is to provide a structure and arrangement of partswhereby the user of the vibrator is protected from possible shortcircuit, all accessible parts being insulated from straycurrents.Another object is to provide acontrol arrangement whereby the picking upand the gripping of the handle of the vibrator effects the closing ofthe circuits and the operation of the apparatus, the laying down of thevibrator causing its stoppage.

Other objects include providing, in the case of massage, of specialapplicators, to'be subjected to the oscillating motion and to delivereffective massage action.

Other and further objects and advantages will be explained in thehereinafter following description of an illustrative embodiment of theinvention or will be understood to those conversant with the art.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is what may be termed a front viewor elevation of an electric massage vibrator embodying the presentinvention, with a special type of applicator applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a right elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 5 is a detail crosssection showing the preferred construction of each of the elements ofthe ball type of applicator shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4; and Fig. 6 is aright elevation thereof.

Fig. '7' is a bottom view of the button type of applicator shown in Fig.8; and Fig. 8 is a central section thereof.

Fig. 9 is a central section of a comb type of applicator, adapted to bemounted on the form shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional and Fig. 11 a perspective view of a detail ofconstruction of the fixed parts of the apparatus. I

Fig. 12 is a rear elevation partly in section of a detail of themounting and adjustment of the armature spring.

Figs. 13 and 14 are diagrams of the action magnet body 24 of ring,octagon or other suit.

able shape.

' A front bearing bracket 26 in the nature of a bridge extendshorizontally across from one side to the other of the magnet body and atits center carries a bearing 21 for one end of the shaft 2|. Extendingdown from the bridge or bracket 26 are .a pair of spaced apart ears 2Bperforated for 1 t At its ends the bridge is formed with a through thebody of the magnet, making a tight fit therewith, and. issuing at therear sidewhere are further insulating washers and a nut 32 by which thefront and rearbearing brackets are rigidly attached to the magnet. Thetabs center the washers and thus center the bolt which is thus kept frommetallic contact with the front and rear bridges or bearing brackets.

A rear bracket or bridge 36 is bent or looped rearwardly so that thebearing 31 thereon for the shaft 2| is spaced well to the rear, that isat the left side of Fig. 4. The bridge 36 has a pair of upstanding ears38 perforated for an attaching 10011; and at its ends has tabs 39straddling an in: 'j sulating washer-40. By the described arrange- I Ishown, to receive a securing bolt 64. When tightened in placethe three'bolts 58; 5.9 and 64 hold.

70. 1 and closes itsicontact with spring 13; By this ai 7 V Washers andthe securing bolt 3| is mainhorizontal slot as seen in Fig. 3 andhorizontal tained spaced so as to be free of metallic contact .with thetwo bearing brackets. The rear bracket 36 has a bent downward extension4| having a ears 42 perforated to receive an adjusting shaft. Themountings for the oscillating motor shaft 2| have'thus' been completelydescribed.

The armature 201s to be resiliently held. in or restored to its neutralposition indicated by the diagram axis a. or a. in Figs. 13 and 14. Forthis purpose. the armature has an outstanding stud 45 atone. sidereceiving an eye on the free end of a restoring spring 46, which ispreferably a. helical spring surrounding the shaft 2|.

other or anchored end of the spring extends downwardly through aswivellinghead .41, shown in detail in Fig. 12, this head being rotarywithin a sliding carriage 48, the threaded shank 49 of which is.slidable horizontally, guided in the slot.

of thebracket extension v ||.;;A threaded shaft 50 passes through and isthreaded in'the shank.

'49, theshaft being rotaryin the ears 42 of the extensionQand beingthere confinedby an enlargeinent or" head at each end. The right endofthe threaded shaft 50 isprovided with'a thumb nut or adjuster 5|extending through to the. outside of th'ehousingto be described, and theinner side of thisfknurled thumb piece is engaged byi'a' spring toothorclick 52 which; securely holds the'thumb piece against accidentaldisplacement.

The entire mechanism thus described is preferably enclosedin anon-metallic housing which;

is shown as composed of a right half 55 and a left half 56interlocking-with each other; these having-ventilating; slots tominimize overheating.

ey' may be composed ofa strongcomposition contact member '|2 adapted tobe thrust at'will 'intoecontactwith a secondicontact member ormaterial'such asbakelite or fiber, and each half has an extension 55 or56%,which match to form" a convenient handle 51.

The two halves of the housing and the enclosed mechanism are all;interconnected by -,an upper bolt 58'and a lower, bolt 59; The righthalf has a pair of threaded seats Boone for each of the bolts,

one of jthern appearing in Fig. '3, Whilethe left half has a pair ofreceiving'sleeves 6| for the r.e-.

spective bolts ,on e suchsleeveappearingin Fig.3, The handle part 55 hasathreaded seat 62 and the complementary handle part -a"sleeve, .not

the entirety in rigid relation,- j

- The electricarrangementsj and circuits maybe passes ffromfthis pointupwardly to the upper. magnet coil 23; which in turnis connected by'asingle'wir e TU'With the lower coil'23', this in turn being connected bya singlewire 1| with'a spring spring l3, to: which 'the other line wireis directly connected The circuit 'is thusjnormally open.

The two contact members: are mounted in a slit lug Him theleft-'handlepartwand apivoted lever.

15 projecting beyond thehandle 'is so arranged I that gripping thehandle deflects :the spring 12 rangement the vibrator is; put intooperation at "will, and'on laying "it down the contact auto-''maticallyopens;

.may carry massaging elements either axial or The Tthumb piece '5 Theadjustment o f'Fi'g. 13 may becons'id'ered the strong adjustments Thetransverse axis a,

of the armature, in its neutral position; is swung away to a maximumdegree from thecenter line cators are'attachable to or operable fromthe08-.

cillating shaft 2|. 'Devicesare illustrated in the nature of massageimplementsbut as stated, other devices might be actuated fromtheoscillating.

shaft. 'Iheshaft is shown with a threadedend 16 on which the threadedhead or shank 11 of the applicator or'other device is attached, with aWing nut 18 to lock it in place. The head 11 offset. Thus in Figs. 1 2and 4 are shown a series of three or two rounded or ball sha peapplicator elements. Each of these has a shank 19 attached by drivingfit, eccentrically in the head, and on each shank is a ball 80, which inthese cases is preferably rotatable on its shank and also preferably isarranged for yielding along its shank,

beingrnade with a recess for this purpose. Figs.

5 and. 6 showsuitable details, there being a screw terior headj82, with.a spring 83 compressed be tween the shank head and thebase of therecess. Theball may be composed of 'bakelite, fiberor 'the like and .mayyield progressively along its shank, giving a graded. action accordingto the ate along small arcs'around the main shaft 2| as an axis, thisarrangement being very effective for O A button type applicator is shownin Figsfil certain muscular treatments.

and 8 where the shank. 85 is threaded to be mounted upon the main shaft2| and carries the sleeve 8| attached withinthe non-metallic applicatorelement 80, the shank 19 having a round in- 0 button applicator 86 whichin this casis not to be rotary. on its shank since the shank must itransmit. oscillatory movements to the button.

,As' before the nonametallic button has a threaded;

sleeve 81 through which the shank passesfljihe shank having a squarehead88 sl'idable in-"the' square recess 89 against the resistance ofcompression spring 90.

V For scalp treatment the comb -like'attachment.".

9| of: Fig. '9 may be used, this having afcircular series of teeth 92and the entiretybein'gfl applica- .ble for example to the buttonapplicatorf 86 of.

Figs. 7 and 8.- The ends of theteeth contacting the scalp will haveoscillating motions along the line of their own circle. Variousf other'applicators operable by oscillating motion will' suggest themselvesl Thesubject matter of Figs 7,'8 and 9 thus de-' scribed is not'specificallyherein claimed, but is 7 madeitheisubject of claim in copending appllcaetion Serial No. 714,896,; filed March 10, 1934.

The cooperation action' of the magnet: and;-

armature is diagrammatically shown-in Figs; 13 7 I and 14, these'twofigures"showing"substantially' the separate wires are split.. Asingle wire 69.

the extreme adjustments o fthe action by the Fig.3 shows an:intermediate adjustment-,the carriage 48' having been slid part way fromone end toward the center. of the feed. screw 50. It will be "notedthatas the vibrator is held naturally in the hand; the thumb I piece isreadily accessible to th'ethumb andfmay i easily be turned in eitherdirection to vary the adjustment and the power while the massageoperations are in progress. This. is of considerable advantage, savingtime, facilitating'thegder. T

sired adjustment. and economizin'geurrent J or axis of 'the 'polesof themag net.) j In thisjad j fustment, at rest 'the armature stands at the 7position a. When the handle is gripped to press the switch lever andclose the circuit the mag- I net becomes alternatingly energized, andthe armature jumps from its neutral position toa position nearer to themagnet axis, where it undergoes short oscillatory vibrations, forexample between the radial lines D and c. The action is substantiallythat as the magnetism approaches maximum in each cycle the armature ispulled bodily from b toward 0, the pull continuing until after themagnetism has passed maximum and is reducing toward zero, until a pointis reached where the .spring, meanwhile put under tension or strain by.the movement of the armature, overcomes the weakening strength of themagnet. About this instant the armature will start its reverse movementfrom position 0 back toward position b while the magnet strengthdecreases to the zero point and thereupon increases with reversepolarity, until, by the time the armature has been pulled back by itsspring as far as position b the increasing strength of the magnet hasovercome the pull of the spring. In a sense the armature is suspended inan intermediate position under short vibration, the magnetintermittently tending to pull it into line with the magnet poles, whilethe spring is constantly tending to pull it back to neutral position a;the armature never reaching either the magnet pole position or theneutral position, until indeed the current is discontinued when thespring restores the armature to its neutral position a.

In the diagrams it is not intended to illustrate the exact positions andamplitudes of movements. In practise the actual movement may be quitesmall, so as to be scarcely perceptible to the vision, and yet quitepowerful so as to be extremely perceptible to the parts being massaged.In Fig. 13 the spring is under greater tension than Fig. 14 and thepower delivered is greater. In the adjustment of Fig. 14 the amplitudeand power are less. The change of adjustment may be considered as theshifting of the neutral axis a or a between the extreme and intermediatepositions. Fig. 14 shows the weak adjustment, with an oscillationbetween radii b and c, of small amplitude and energy. This change ofadjustment of action is effected by a suitable change in the restoringspring, which preferably, as shown, is a mere shift of the spring byadjusting rotarily the position of its anchored end.

The type of applicator shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 is of certain specialvalue for muscular massage, for example in treating the arm muscles.Each ball 80 is freely rotatable on its own shank 19, but both, or allthree, of the balls cooperatively move about the general axis, duringwhich each of them may roll slightly on the skin, with a shortoscillatory planetation. In addition to the rolling massage effectdescribed the balls 80 are subject to yielding along their shanks, asexplained in connection with Fig. 5. The result is that when lightapplication pressure is increased the rolling balls may slide relativelyinward along their shanks, which not merely increases the tension of thespring 83 and the massage pressure upon the flesh, but causes therelative approach of the two or the three balls so as to give a gentlepinching or gathering action upon the flesh. This type of applicatortherefore affords simultaneous pressure, vibration, rolling motion, andgathering or kneading of the muscles, according to the manual pressureapplied to the operation.

The button type applicator of Figs? and 8 is on different principles,although possessing the yielding action due to its spring 96. The springmay for example be normally under substantially zero compression, sothat the applicator may be operated with very gentle action, the springyielding with increase of pressure and thus affording a progressivelyincreasing, but always resilient massaging pressure. For facialtreatments this is of great advantage. The applicator 86 is not rotaryupon its shank 85, but due to its square recess 89 and head 88 itpartakes of the oscillation of the motor shaft, thus delivering acombination of pressure and oscillatory vibration of the muscles in theplane of the operating surface of the applicator, which is shownpreferably flat, but obviously might be somewhat curved or otherwisecontoured.

The vibrator hereof is safe, electrically speaking, and the user isprotected from possible contact with the charged parts and from straycurrents due to possible looseness or breakage of connections. Thehousing is non-metallic and no metallic parts are exposed other than theend of the'armature shaft and the applicator head or shank connectedtherewith. The armature and its shaft are effectively insulated from themagnet and its coils. The bolts 3| by which the bridge pieces 26 and 36are attached to the magnet are insulated not from the magnet but fromdisclosed electric vibrator; while the particular forms of applicatorshereinabove described are made the subject of divisional application,see application Number 714,896, filed March 10, 1934.

The following claims of invention are hereby made:

1. An electric vibrator comprising a shaft mounted to oscillate about anaxis longitudinal to its length and adapted to carry an implement orapplicator in position intersected by such axis, a field magnetconsisting of an electromagnet energized by alternating current, anarmature carried by said shaft in magnetic relation to said magnet, aresilient means or spring connected with and tending to hold the shaftat a normal idle position wherein the armature is out of magneticalinement with the magnet and said spring cooperating with the magnetfor oscillating the armature and. shaft, and adjusting means forchanging the relation of the spring to the armature and therebyeffecting variations of the strength or amplitude of oscillation of theshaft and applicator.

2. An alternating current electric vibrator comprising a shaft mountedto oscillate about an axis longitudinal to its length and adapted tocarry an implement or applicator in position intersected by such axis, awindingless armature on said shaft, a field magnet consisting of anelectro-magnet energized by alternating current, with a spring tendingto hold the shaft at a normal idle position wherein the armature is outof magnetic alinement with the magnet, and said spring cooperating withthe magnet for oscillating the armature and shaft, and means foradjusting the spring for changing its position and thereby the normalposition of the armature for effecting variations of the strength oramplitude of oscillation of the shaft and implement carried thereon.

3, A 'vi bratoras in claim 2 and wherein the spring has one partanchored and the adjustment 'of oscillation is by shifting the anchoredpart, of the spring thereby to vary the normal position and the range ofoscillationof the shaft-. a

4. A portable electric massage vibrator com prising a shaft mountedtooscillate about an axis longitudinal to its length and adapted to carryan implement or applicator in position intersected by s'uch axis, anarmature on said-shaft, and an AC. field magnet; with a spring tendingto holdthe shaft and armature at a normal idle position and'cooperatingwithrthe magnet for oscillating the armature and'shaftand adjustingmeans for-shifting the normal position t me spring andpthereby effectingvariations of the strength or amplitude of oscillation of the arma-",ture and shaft thereby to adjust the strength of i 1 action" of theapplicator; the spring being a coil spring surrounding the'shaf t withone end attached to the shaft or armature and the other end attached toa carriage; the adjustingmeans being arranged to shift the position ofthe care 5. An electric vibrator comprising an armature shaftmounted tooscillate about an'axis longitudinal to its length and adapted to carryan im-- plement or applicator in position intersected by such axis,anarmature thereon, and a field magnet energized'by alternating currentfor oscillating the armature and shaft, a spring tending to hold theshaft at a normal idle position, said :spring passing helically aroundthe shaft, with one end attached to the shaft, a carriage to which i V VI v the other end of the springisattached, andadjustablemeans' to shiftthe carriage ina manner to shift the attachedend of the spring and thusvary the action of the'spring. V

V 6. An electric vibrator as in claim 5 and wherein the adjustablemeans-to shift the carriage and 7 thereby vary the action of the springcomprises a threaded shaft engaging the carriage and a thumb piece'onthe shaft exteriorly accessible 7 i for turning it. V V

'1, In a portable massage instrument; in combination, anAqC. 'magnet anda windingless V armature, anfoscillating shaft having fixed bearings andcarrying the armature in a position to os- 3 V cillate concentrically tothe axis of the shaft, and

the magnet having a fixed position with its pole or poles radiallyoutwards of the armature pole or poles, such that oscillation of thearmature changes the angular relation of the armature poles and magnetpoles without contact; each' armature'pole having a normal position withits "magnetic center out of alinement between'the a magnet pole andshaftaxis; and a spring connected to the armature to hold it resilientlyinf such normal position and having means for in 25 itially adjustingthe'spring to determine the nor-' 7 'mal position of thearmature andthereby the manner of oscillation of the shaft; and a massage applicatormounted at the end of such oscillatory jshaft'and with the'shaft axispassing substantially centrally through the applicator, whereby theapplicator applies a reversely twisting movement to the parts contactedby it.

V ADOLF P.,.c.' SCI-IRAMMQ V 1

